PESHAWAR: Pakistan has decided to make polio vaccinations mandatory for travelers from Afghanistan.
According to health authorities, the decision to mandate polio vaccination for individuals entering Pakistan from Afghanistan has been taken to prevent the spread of the polio virus.
Travelers from Afghanistan, including children, will be vaccinated at the crossing points with Afghanistan, including the Torkham and Chaman borders.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which shares 2400 kilometers long border with Afghanistan, has reported two polio cases so far this year, with 27 confirmed positive environmental samples.
The presence of the polio virus in environmental samples was detected in the sewage systems of Peshawar, Hangu, Karachi, and Lahore. Notably, the genetic makeup of the virus closely resembled the strain found in Afghanistan.
Polio Vaccination for Afghan Border Crossings
In light of this, Afghan residents crossing the Pak-Afghan borders at Torkham and Chaman will be required to receive polio vaccination. Additionally, children traveling with Afghan refugees will be vaccinated, and their vaccination records from Afghanistan will be verified.
